FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After a successful start at the Head of the Riverfront, the Fairfield University rowing teams are geared up for another set of racing at the Navy Day Regatta in Philadelphia on Sunday. The Stags are looking to use their performances at the season-opening event to move forward as they continue their Fall season.

"The women's team put in solid performances in the eights and a very aggressive and competitive performance in the fours," Director of Rowing and Head Women's Coach Dr. David Patterson said. "The four is continuing its preparation for the Head of the Charles to into the Navy Day Regatta with the mindset of building their speed but knowing this time they only have to put one race into their legs compared to the two from last week."

The men will also be looking to take last week's performance and build on it by using their training sessions during the week and using those skills to elevate as they prepare for the Head of the Charles on the following weekend.

"The men had some challenges at the Riverfront so externally it may have seemed as though they struggled at the Riverfront," Coach Patterson said. "There were some game day lineup changes due to illness. They know that the overall competition at Navy Day is arguably going to be another step up. However, I believe the guys are read to take a step up in their performance which we hope will translate into a climb up the results ladder."

Fairfield will field several entries in the Navy Day Regatta on Sunday. The women's team will participate in the college fours, the varsity eights, and the junior varsity eights. The men's program will compete in the varsity eights and the junior varsity eights.

The competition at the Navy Day Regatta may be a step up but its seems to be the natural progression as the teams bridge from the season opener at the Riverfront to the more regional competition of Navy Day followed by the prestigious Head of the Charles on the weekend of October 18.

"The Riverfront gave the men a closer look at their competition for Boston," Coach Patterson said. "However Navy Day will obviously stretch us to perform at a higher level and also give us a long term view on some crews we expect to race at the Dad Vail in May."

The Navy Day Regatta schedule is available and results will also be posted throughout the event.